Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

Pontotoc County is in the south central part of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,492.[1] Its county seat is Ada.[2] The county was created at statehood from part of the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. It was named for a historic Chickasaw tribal area in Mississippi. According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Pontotoc is usually translated "cattail prairie" or "land of hanging grapes." [3]

For the unincorporated community in Johnston County, see Pontotoc, Oklahoma. For other uses, see Pontotoc (disambiguation).
Pontotoc County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°43′N 96°41′W
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named forChickasaw word for the region meaning either "cattail prairie" "land of hanging grapes"
SeatAda
Largest cityAda
Area
 • Total725 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land720 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total37,492
 • Estimate 
(2019)
38,284
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district4th

Pontotoc County comprises the Ada, OK Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The Chickasaw Nation's headquarters are in Ada.

History

The present Pontotoc County was part of the land that the U.S. government granted in 1830 to the Choctaw tribe via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1837, the Chickasaw tribe was granted land within the Choctaw domain. In 1857, the Chickasaw Nation formed its own government on this land. However, few Chickasaw settled there until after the Civil War, mainly because of attacks by various Plains Indian tribes.[3]

The first settlers were located in the vicinity of Boggy Depot during the 1840s. Camp Arbuckle was established to protect migrants traveling on the California Road. After the Civil War, settlements began spreading through the area. Some of the new settlers were illegal white intruders and outlaws. The first post office was established at Stonewall in 1878. The town of Ada was founded in 1890. After three railroads built lines through Ada, it became the dominant community of the area. Ada was named county seat when Pontotoc County was created.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 725 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 720 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4] The Canadian River forms the northern boundary.[3]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
191024,331—
192030,94927.2%
193032,4694.9%
194039,79222.6%
195030,875−22.4%
196028,089−9.0%
197027,867−0.8%
198032,59817.0%
199034,1194.7%
200035,1433.0%
201037,4926.7%
2019 (est.)38,284[5]2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]
Age pyramid for Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 37,492 people living in the county. 71.2% were White, 17.4% Native American, 2.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 1.1% of some other race and 7.2% of two or more races. 4.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 35,143 people, 13,978 households, and 9,421 families living in the county. The population density was 19/km2 (49/mi2). There were 15,575 housing units at an average density of 8/km2 (22/mi2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.80% White, 2.06% Black or African American, 15.51% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 5.36% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,978 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 12.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,955, and the median income for a family was $35,400. Males had a median income of $26,785 versus $18,939 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,664. About 11.80% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2019[11]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 9,672 44.97%
Republican 8,616 40.06%
Others 3,219 14.97%
Total 21,507 100%
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 70.3% 10,431 24.5% 3,637 5.1% 763
2012 69.4% 8,945 30.6% 3,947
2008 68.4% 9,750 31.6% 4,512
2004 65.1% 9,647 34.9% 5,165
2000 56.9% 7,299 42.0% 5,387 1.2% 150
1996 39.4% 5,366 47.5% 6,470 13.1% 1,777
1992 33.5% 5,206 40.9% 6,350 25.6% 3,965
1988 49.9% 6,609 49.0% 6,484 1.1% 146
1984 59.7% 8,301 39.7% 5,526 0.6% 80
1980 49.3% 6,232 47.0% 5,942 3.6% 457
1976 39.2% 4,895 59.8% 7,466 1.0% 125
1972 72.0% 8,762 26.0% 3,160 2.0% 240
1968 38.3% 4,161 39.5% 4,291 22.3% 2,425
1964 35.9% 4,166 64.1% 7,449
1960 55.8% 5,863 44.3% 4,654
1956 44.7% 4,814 55.3% 5,950
1952 42.8% 5,389 57.2% 7,208
1948 22.8% 2,289 77.2% 7,750
1944 31.1% 2,960 68.7% 6,552 0.2% 21
1940 27.0% 3,449 72.8% 9,310 0.3% 35
1936 19.9% 2,015 79.7% 8,079 0.4% 42
1932 14.3% 1,207 85.7% 7,227
1928 50.9% 3,356 48.6% 3,203 0.6% 38
1924 28.1% 1,859 64.5% 4,268 7.5% 493
1920 37.2% 2,370 59.6% 3,800 3.2% 206
1916 21.3% 913 56.4% 2,418 22.3% 957
1912 18.8% 642 53.8% 1,842 27.4% 937

Economy

Cattle ranching was one of the most important economic activities in this area up through the territorial period. Agriculture rose to prominence in the early 20th century, with cotton being the most important crop. Cattle raising reemerged as the major industry, and the county is sometimes called "Hereford Heaven." [3]

Other important economic activities include limestone quarrying, cement production, light manufacturing, services and government. The city of Ada is the headquarters of the Chickasaw Nation, and the base of the Carl Albert Indian Health System.[3]

Communities

City
  • Ada (county seat)

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

NRHP sites
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Pontotoc County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Turner, Alvin O. "Pontotoc County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  5. "County Population Totals: 2010-2019". Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.

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